Ex-football coach Barry Bennell denies sex assault charges

Former football coach Barry Bennell has pleaded not guilty to eight charges of sexual assault on a boy under the age of 16.

The 63-year-old was charged in November in the wake of widespread allegations of sexual abuse that now includes more than 150 potential suspects.

Bennell, a youth coach at Crewe Alexandra, pleaded not guilty at Chester Crown Court on Monday morning via videolink from HMP Woodhill, and will be remanded into custody until March 20.

The charges relate to alleged offences that took place between 1981 and 1986.